In this story
Know your fabric first
A client in Menlo Park opened the tissue-wrapped box her grandmother had left her and found the 치마 still crisp, the silk still supple, the color still true. Forty years in a cedar chest, never dry-cleaned, never hung. Her grandmother had folded it the way her own mother had shown her, corners to corners, weight distributed, breath allowed.
A well-kept hanbok outlives the occasion it was made for. It also outlives most of the advice on the internet, which treats it like a suit or a wedding gown when it is neither. Here is how to clean, fold, store, and travel with hanbok so it reaches the next generation intact.
Linen and cotton hanbok
Follow the care instructions for that specific piece. Some everyday cotton or linen sets can be washed, but only when their instructions allow it; follow their temperature and drying instructions exactly. If instructions are missing or unclear, ask the seller for written guidance before cleaning. See our care guide.
Check the care instructions before ironing or steaming any piece.
Folding the chima
The full chima is the trickiest part of a hanbok to store. Folded badly, it creases along visible lines.
The traditional method: fold the chima into thirds lengthwise, then roll it from the hem upward. The roll prevents sharp creases. If you have shelf space, hang from the waist sash on a wide padded hanger instead.
Folding the jeogori
Fold the jeogori with the sleeves crossed in front, then fold in thirds along the long axis. Keep the goreum (front tie) loose, not tied. The knot leaves a crease if pressed flat for long.
Embroidery and beadwork
If your hanbok has hand embroidery or gold thread, treat the embroidered area like glass. Never iron directly on it, and check the care instructions before pressing the piece at all. Store flat, not folded across the embroidery.
Traveling with hanbok
For domestic travel, pack flat in tissue inside a carry-on if possible. For international, a soft garment bag inside a hard suitcase. Hanbok generally survives travel better than a Western suit because the construction is softer.
Unpack it as soon as you arrive, and check its care instructions before steaming or pressing it.
Once a year, no matter what
Take your hanbok out once a year and air it for a few hours. This prevents fold lines from setting permanently and lets humidity dissipate. Refold along different lines.
If something goes wrong
Most hanbok damage is fixable. A seam, a button, a small tear, all repairable. Ask Eric about repairs for your piece. Send him a photo if something happens to your piece.
Talk to Eric
Looking for hanbok you can keep for decades? Eric at The Korean In Me selects pieces in Seoul through authorized Korean suppliers and makers, inspects each piece in San Mateo, and works with each customer on sizing and color. Contact Eric to inquire →